Calida was born and raised in Quesnel, a small town in the interior of British Columbia. Her passion and love of dance started when she began taking ballet classes at the local dance studio at the age of four.
She grew up dancing at Gold Pan City Dance Studio where she trained in Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Hip Hop, and Tap. After graduating from high school in 2009, Calida moved to Vancouver, following her dream of a career as a professional dancer. After a very successful season training, performing, and touring with the Source Dance Company under the direction of Joanne Pesusich, she travelled to Los Angeles to train at the Edge Performing Arts Centre and Debbie Reynolds Studio. Calida has since traveled throughout North America to train with the best including Shannon Holtzapffel and Benjamin Allen in Los Angeles, David Earle in Guelph Ontario, and Heather Laura Gray in Vancouver.
Calida has toured with the Source Dance Company’s Shadows and Turn It Up, and performed with the Underground Circus at the International Bar Association Convention and the 12th Annual Starlight Gala. She was a part of Vancouver’s original musical Sweet Mystery, True Heroines’ Flash Forward show, and at various events during the 2010 Winter Olympics. Recently, Calida was fortunate to be cast as a principal dancer for the new Nickelodeon movie RAGZ, choreographed by Rosero McCoy and Kelly Konno.
Acting is a new interest for Calida, as dance has given her the skills necessary to delve into a character, take direction, and find the passion in a performance. She is currently working regularly with Nadine Wright of ACT2, and growing with every session.
Calida continues to train and perform in Vancouver. Whether dancing or acting, her passion is being on the stage and screen, and she is excited for the opportunities that lay ahead.